Jennifer Hegener is V-Soft Consulting’s Director of Recruiting, based in Chicago, Illinois. She works closely with our Recruiters and Resource Managers to make sure we have a smooth, efficient process. In addition to being an accomplished recruiter, she is an athlete and music fan. Read more about her here!
What is your experience in? What brought you to V-Soft?
Great question. So, my first career was in independent education. I have my master’s in education. I did admissions recruiting for a private girls’ boarding and day school in Baltimore for three years, and then moved to Chicago. I got into IT recruiting in 1998 and have been doing it ever since. I was a part of the Palace Gate acquisition in May 2016, and that’s how I came to V-Soft.
What do you consider a fulfilling work day?
No two days are ever the same in this business. For me, I would say when you make that right match between a company and a candidate, or when you have a really good collaboration between your team and get a lot done. Getting through that to-do list, maybe it’s coming up with a great new way to help our candidates, or our clients, collaborating amongst the recruiting team. There’s also just positive interaction all the way around.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Oh, goodness! My oldest child will be out of the house, so I don’t want to even think about that. Professionally, I still see myself working in the Staffing industry at V-Soft, and seeing a tremendous amount of growth at the company both domestically as well as globally, in maintaining relationships across the talent pool.
What do you think is the best thing about V-Soft?
This is going to sound so canned, but everyone has been just phenomenal. Very willing to help, responsive, and very honest about what’s working and where we need to step our game up. It's refreshing, because a lot of times when you come into this type of role, people don’t always tell you if there are issues – you know, they may say that everything’s fine when things really need to be improved. So it’s the professional honesty on what’s going on and where we can get better.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I have two boys that are 8 and 13, so I’m constantly going to some sort of sporting event. They play football, basketball, and baseball. I’m a runner, although I’m currently injured. I’ve done a half marathon – Sally at Palace Gate and I did the Chicago half-marathon last year!
I like to ski, and I like to travel to any place warm. I like the ocean; I’m becoming more of a beach person. I also hope to get back to Europe some day. I love Hawaii – Maui is my favorite place. And reading - I’m a big reader. Right now I’m reading a book that takes place right around the financial collapse – it’s about a Cameroonian refugee who comes over to the US and becomes a chauffeur for a Lehman Bros executive. It’s called Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. The other one that I read – and Rekha has read it too – it’s probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It’s fascinating.
Do you have a fun fact about yourself?
When I was in the 6th grade I won a writing contest. I wrote a short story and got either first or second place – I can’t remember, it was so long ago!
